New York woman charged with false report of crime

 


A former Alva resident told local police she left a vehicle behind with her roommate to be sold. She wanted to report the vehicle stolen.

According to a court affidavit, Lama Priya, 20, of Woodside, New York, contacted Woods County Dispatch on May 14 wanting to make a stolen vehicle report. Officer Timothy Clapp contacted Priya, who said when she moved to New York she left her car with her roommate, Samichin Bista, to sell. Priya said she called Bista to ask about the car and was told the car, car keys and title had been missing since April 28.

Priya described the vehicle as a white Toyota Prius. She said she signed the title before she left so Bista could sell the car without her. Clapp said he would make contact with Bista and call Priya back.

Clapp was unable to make contact with Bista at her apartment. He spoke with the apartment landlord who said Bista still lived there and provided her phone number. Clapp tried the number but was unable to make contact.

On May 15 while driving past the apartments, Clapp saw a vehicle matching the description given by Priya. He found the tag checked back to Katie Guess who lives at the apartments. About 10:20 a.m. Clapp and Deputy Fuller made contact with Guess who said she bought the vehicle from Priya with cash before Priya left town approximately two to three weeks earlier.

Guess said Priya had been calling her saying she wanted more money. Guess showed Clapp the vehicle registration and insurance, which were in her name. She said the new title was in the mail. Clapp attempted to call Priya about the sale of the car but did not reach her.

On further investigation, Clapp learned Priya had called Woods County Dispatch on May 8 to request a welfare check on Guess. She told them she wanted the welfare check because Guess owed her money. Dispatch advised Priya an officer could not be sent out to do that.

Lama Priya has been charged with false reporting of a crime, a misdemeanor. This crime is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or a fine up to $500.

 

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